Stickless ventilated chick box



Se t. 28, 1937. H. c. KRANNERT ET AL 2,094,175

STICKLESS VENTILATED CHICK BOX Filed Jan. 15, 1936 l 4- o ooooe 099 90.I l/ /5 I4 QOOOOO ILOOOQOO QOOOOO OOOPOO Z4 ,44 /5 VW yigf- ATTORNEY 5 Nca Patented Sept. 28,1937

UNITE-D} STATES 2.094.175 STICKLESS. vsNmA'rEn CHICK BOX Herman C.Krannert, New Augusta, and ,George K E. Bomberger, Indianapolis, Ind.,assignors to Anderson Box Company, Indianapolis, Ind., a

corporation Application January 15, 1936, Serial No. 59,190 14 Claims.(01. 229-6) This invention relates toa stickless container of thegeneral type known as a chick box suitable for shipment of livechicksythe container being of the ventilating type and being capable ofassociation with other like containers in stacked relation. I

The chief object of the invention is to provide a ventilated sticklesschick box capable of stacking and which will insure ventilation to thechicks through the cover as well as through the side walls when placedagainst a wall, or walls, or other packages. f

Another object of the invention is to construct a sticklesschick box ofthe general character before mentioned, which is formed of less stockthan heretofore required forcontainers of the same general character.

The chief feature of the invention consists in forming the lid in aconventional manner and associating therewith a box proper which hasdownwardly and inwardly inclined sides, the latter being perforated orsemi-perforated as is well known in the art but said perforations beingpositioned below the lower edge of the rim of the cover or lid, thelatter adjacent its periphery and rim connection including ventilatingapertures, whereby when a plurality of containers are arranged instacked relation, ventilation through the cover and sides is assured.

The downwardly and inwardly directed walls permit the use of a stitchedrim cover, the rim portion enclosing the upper edge of the wall andassisting in retaining side wall positioning and preventing collapse ifthe container is unduly loaded when in a stack.- Another feature of theinvention is that the hatcherman during his idle time,'may assemble thebox bottoms and nest same for subsequent use. Storage thereof whennested, requires but little floor space or volume. could be similarlyfabricated although they should not nest for storage, it beingunderstood that in many instances for large users, the blanks areshipped to the hatcherman' who assembles each box, as shown in thedrawing.

Another feature of the invention is the advantage or economy in laborcost obtained because of the fact that there is no added labor in thecost'for building of a box of the stickless type over that of thenon-stickless type, when the present invention is utilized.

Another feature of the invention consists in' providing a container ofthe general character before mentioned, with partitions usually ofintersecting character and suitably .apchored to an therewith, theprojecting portion of the partition preferably being of such length thatit lies within The covers of course,-

intermediate portion of the side wall. In the present instance, saidpartitions have their upper edges for a material distance-and in thespecific instance, the entire. distancefrom side wall to side wall,coincident with the plane of the top edges of the container to functionas a cover sup,- port for the central portion of the cover or lid.

Another feature of the invention is, the partition anchorage is ofinterlocking type to prevent upward movement of the same in thecontainer and such interlocking connection is obtained by means of aprojecting tongue which is associated with the side wall belowthe-loweredge of the rim of the cover or lid when the latter isassociated a depending projecting plane of the adjacent rim portion ofthe lid, such interlocking anchorage requiring no further connectionbetween the side wall and the partition, although if, as and whendesired, the partition may have an extension flap adapted to lie withinthe container and parallel to the side wall and if, as and when desired,rigidly secured thereto.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying. drawing and the following description and claims:

Inthe drawing, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the chick box embodying theinvention, the cover having been removed. 30

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of a plurality of chick f boxes arranged instacked formation.

Fig. 3' is a perspective view of a corner of a vehicle or a compartmentwith a stack of chick boxes embodying the invention positioned therein.

In the drawing there is illustrated a box of Paper board, herein shownin the form of corrugated board, although not necessarily restrictedthereto, said box includes the bottom i0, and since it is illustrated inFig; 1 as of a rectangular outline, it includes 'two side walls i2 andtwo end walls l3. Herein the side walls are shown provided with flapextensions ii which are secured to the end walls by the staples l4. Itwill be noted these flaps are of truncated triangular outline and thestaples are positioned near the upper edge of the box for coverconcealment.

Intermediate between the top and bottom edges of each wall, there isillustrated a plurality of primarily ventilating apertures i5. These are50 shown as fully formed, although as is well known in this art, theymay be semi-die cut. andpreformed, as it were, and the aperture-formingportion may be readily removed by finger pressure exerted thereon whenthe box is set up.

As will be clear from an inspection of the drawing, the box preferably.has all four sides extending downwardly and inwardly toward the bottomfrom the upper .edge, thereby forming an inverted, truncated pyramidalbox.

The cover includes a top l6 and is of an area substantially equal to thearea defined bythe top edge of the box and each edge of the cover isprovided with a depending rim l'l positioned substantially at 90 to theadjacent main coverforming portion and certain of the rim portions haveextensions indicated at l8 which overlap the other adjacent rim portionsH but inwardly of the latter, and are suitably secured thereto as by thestaples l9.

It will be noted-see Figs. 2 and 3--that the rim l1 substantiallyoverlies or covers, as it were, all of the box-forming staples ll so thelatter are not exposed. The cover along each edge, in the presentinstance, is provided with a plurality of apertures 20. These are hereinshown trianular with the base substantially coincident with theconnection of the rim to the cover. They are shown as fully formed,although as herein-. before recited, relative to apertures i5, they maybe semi-die cut and permitting ready removal by the insertion of thefinger, or the like, when the box is set up. Also apertures 20 may beother than triangular in outline.

The purpose of such preformed and not fully completed apertures, as iswell known in this art, is to secure the conservation of heat during thewinter months. When the containers are stacked one above the other, asshown in Figs. 2 and 3, since the bottom ill is of less .area than thelid, each superposed box does not cover the lid apertures so thatventilation tothe interior of the box through the top or lid is providedfor.

Likewise, when the boxes are arranged in stacked relation, side by sidein rows, so that one or more sides, such as a wall or the walls in acorner-see Fig. 3-are flat and the lids abut the same, ventilation isinsured through all sides of the box which include the perforations i5therein.

In the shipment of chicks to prevent undue mortality due to crowding, itis common practice to provide partitions in order to separate the totalnumber of chicks to be shipped in a box into groups and thus remove thepossibility of chick loss. In the present instance, two transversepartitions intersecting and interlocking at the midportion of the box,are provided, said partitions being indicated by the numeral 2| and theintersection by the numeral 22. This intersection is of conventionalcharacter.

Likewise, in the present box, the partition is provided with ventilatingopenings 23 providing cross ventilation from compartment to compartmentwithin the box. These apertures 23 preferably are placed at differentlevels with reference to the bottom and the initial level isapproximately midway between the top and bottom of the partition. Thesemay be die out if desired. In the present instance, the top edge of eachpartition lies substantially in the same plane as the top edges of theside walls and thus the top edges of the partitionserve as a support forthe central portion of the cover so thereis no inward flaring or bulgingof the cover when the boxes are arranged in stacked formation. Since thebox is of frust'o-pyramidal form prevent upward movement of thepartitions, if they be mounted in the box without stapling, or the like,depending upon the shippers preference, said partitions at each end areP ovi d of the boxes, does not prevent air circulating around the boxand between that wall and the ends of the superposed partition.

to prevent upward movement as aforesaid.

The partition may also be provided with a flap or extension 21 which hasa biased scored connection 28 with the partition to form a flap adaptedto lie parallel to and inside the adjacent wall. This serves'as anadditional bearing "for the partition. If-a further and morerigidanchorage is desired, a staple 29 may secure said flap to the adjacentwall and this staple 29, it will be noted, also is covered by the rim ofthe box when the rim is mounted thereon.

It will be particularly noted that the walls of the box are inclined tothe vertical as well as the bottom of the box and since the rim of thecover is substantially 90 to the bottom of the box and the main bodyportion of the cover, there is formed a channel between the adjacentwall portion overlapped by the rim. This permits the cover to be formedin overall dimensions so that there is, if desired, a friction lock, asit were, between the top edge or immediately adjacent portions of thewalls and the rim but there is likewise provided by this arrangement, anexcellent hand grip for readily removing the cover in opposition to thisfriction association by the person opening the box first inserting oneor more flngers in the holes IS in two opposite sides and then placingthe thumbs on the cover and the first and second fingers under the rim,engaging, as it were, the lower edge of the cover rim and then elevatingthe cover thereby, the box being held relatively stationary by the otherfingers in the holes i5.

' Dueto this friction arrangement or one substantially approximating thesame, outward bulging of the inclined walls is prevented so that escapeof the partitions, 'if not stapled to the wall, is prevented. It is theoption of the shipper before placing the chicks in the container whetheror not the flaps should be stapled to the adjacent wall. In the simplestform of the invention, the flaps themselves may well be omitted.

The present invention permits the formation of a ventilated, sticklesscontainer suitable for the shipment of live chicks and manufactured fromthe minimum amount of board material. Likewise, the present invention,if the area-of the lid or cover is proportioned relative to the area ofthe top edge'of the box, a friction lock is obtained therebetween aspreviously set forth which eliminates the necessity for tying the coverand box together, particularly for short hauls, although tying may beemployed, if, as and when desired, for added security ofconnectionbetween the cover and box proper, particularly for long hauls.

The terminology pyramidal is intended to include an arrangement whereinopposite sides are substantially equal in area and wherein adjacentsides may or may not be equal in area,

The upper edge 26 of the tongue surface serves as a lock as illustrated,and as well as those which will readily suggest themselves to personsskilled in this art, are all considered to be within the broad scope ofthis'invention, reference being had to the appended claims. Such'amodification, for example, might be the slotting oi the cover andextension of portions of the partition through the slots, as shown ineither Lane No, 1,744,125 or Gorsuch No. 1,781,279.

The invention claimeddsz- 1. A container for chicks and the like,including a lid having an area substantially oi the same outline asthetop of the box and with a 7 depending rim of materially less depththan the height of the box, a box portion having downwardly and inwardlytapered walls, said walls having apertures therein between the top'andbottom and below the lid-covered portion, and partition means extendingfrom one side to another non-adjacent side and having an inter-' mediateportion of a height substantially equal to the height of the box for lidsupport, each partition-associated wall having an elongated aperturetherein, said partition means at opposite ends including tongues of lessdepth than the partition height and seatablein the elongated apertures,said partition means with the oppositely projecting tongues having anoverall length not greater than the overall corresponding dimension oithe lid. I

2. A container for chicks and the like, including a lid having an areasubstantially of the same outline as the top of the box and with adepending rim of materially less depth thanthe height of the box, a boxportion having downwardly and inwardly tapered walls, said walls havingapertures therein between the top and .bottom and below the lid-coveredportion, and partition means extending from one side to an-.

other non-adjacent side and having an intermediate portion of a height,substantially equal to the height of the box for lid support, eachpartition-associated wall having an elongated aperture therein, saidpartition means at opposite.

ends including tongues 01' less depth than the partition height andseatable in the elongated apertures, said partition means with theopposite projecting tongues having an overall length less than theoverall corresponding dimension of the lid.

3. A container including a. box having an inverted, hollow,frusto-pyramidal wall arrangement and a bottom, acover having adepending rim and telescopically nesting the upper edge of the'wallarrangement, and a partition therein having an upperedge for centralcover portion support, and an interlocking connection between the endsof the partition and the side wall arrangement.

4. A container including a box having an inverted, hollow,frusto-pyramidal wall arrangement and a bottom, a cover having :1depending rim and telescopically nesting the upper ,edge of v the wallarrangement, and a partition therein having an upper edge for centralcover portion support, an interlocking connection between the ends ofthe partition and the 'side wall arrangement, and a biased flap'extension on the partition parallel to and bearing 'upon the interioface of the adjacent interlocking wall.

5. A container including a box having an inverted hollow,frusto-pyramidal wall arrangement and a bottom, a cover-having adepending rimand telescopically nesting the upper edge of the wallarrangement, and a partition therein having an upper edge for centralcover portion support, an interlocking connection between the ends ofthe partition and the side wall arrangement, and'mean's independent ofsaid connection rigidly securing each end of the partition to the wallarrangement. I

6. A container including a box having an inverted, hollow,i'rusto-pyramidal wall arrangement and a bottom, a cover having adepending rim and telescopically nesting the upper edge of the wallarrangement, and a partition therein having an upper edge for centralcover portion support, an interlocking connection between the ends ofthe partition and the side wall arrangement, a biased flap extension oneach end of the partition parallel to and bearing upon the interior faceof the adjacent interlocking wall, and means rigidly securing eachextension to the wall arrangement.

- 7. A container including a box having an inverted, hollow,frusto-pyramidal wall arrangement and a bottom, a cover having adepending rim and telescopically nesting theupper edge of the wallarrangement, and a partition therein having an upper edge for centralcover portion support, an interlocking connection between the ends ofthe partition and the side wall arrangement, the wall arrangement havingventilating a ertures therein slightly below the lower edge of the rimwhen the cover is mounted on the box to facilitate cover removal andprovide ventilation, and a biased flap extension on the partitionparallel to and bearing upon the interior face of the adjacentinterlocking wall.

8. A container including a box having an inverted, hollow,frusto-pyramidal wall arrangement and a cover having a top portion of anarea and outline corresponding to the top edge of the box for thepurpose described and a depending rim adjacent its top connectionfrictionally engaging the upper outer edge of the wall arrangement, andprogressively spaced therefrom toward its lower edge, said wallarrangement having apertures therein adjacent the last-mentioned edgepermitting ready separation of the 'cover and box substantially asdescribed, said cover adjacent its rimmed edge having apertures thereinwhereby when a plurality of said containers are stacked in registrationthe apertures in the next lower container cover are exposed by thebottom of the next higher container, the wall arrangement aperturesbeing slightly below the lower edge of the rim when the cover is mountedon the box, a partition in the hollow wall arrangement having an upperedge for central cover support, and a biased flap extension on thepartition parallel to and bearing upon the interior face of biased flapextension on each end of the partition parallel to and bearing upon theinterior face of the adjacent interlocking wall, and means rigidlysecuring each extension to the wall arrangement.

10. A container including a boxhaving an inverted, hollow,frusto-pyramidal wall arrangement and a bottom, a cover having adepending rim and telescopically nesting the upper edge oi. the wallarrarmement, and a partition therein having an upper edge for centralcover portion support, an interlocking connection between the ends ofthe partition and the side wall arrangement, the wall arrangement havingventilating apertures therein slightly below the lower edge of the rimwhen the cover is mounted on the 'box, a biased flap extension on eachend of the partition parallel to and bearing upon the interior face ofthe adjacent interlocking wall, and means rigidly securing eachextension to the wall arrangement.

11. A container including a box having an inverted, hollow,frusto-pyramidal wall arrangementand a cover having a top portion of anarea and outline corresponding to the top edge of the box for thepurpose described and a depending rim adjacent its top connectionfrictionally engaging the upper outer edge of the wall arrangerim whenthe cover is mounted on the box, a partition in the hollow wallarrangement having an upper edge for central cover support, a biasedflap extension on each end of the partition parallel to and bearing uponthe interior face of the adjacent interlocking wall, and means rigidlysecuring each extension to the wall arrangement.

12. A container including a box having a hol-' low, trusts-pyramidalwall arrangement or equal height throughout and a bottom integraltherewith, a cover having an integral peripheral rim for nesting theupper edge of the box therein,

and intersecting partitions extending from wall to wall and suitablyanchored at the ends thereto, each partition except atthe intersectionextending from the box bottom to a top edge, all top edges lyingsubstantially in the plane of the top 1 edge of the wall arrangement forsupporting the central portion of the cover, each face of the wallarrangement'extending anguiarly and upwardly in a singleplane from thebottom at its connection therewith and having its upper edge engaged bythe cover when mounted on the box, permitting stacking oi the containerswithout central bulging ordepression oi the bottoms and/or covers.

13. A container for chicks and the like, including a lid having an areasubstantially of the same outline as the top oi! the box and with adepending rim of materially less depth than the height of the box, a boxportion having downwardly and inwardly tapered walls, said walls havingapertures therein between the top and bottom and below the lid-coveredportion, and partition means extending from one side to anothernonadjacent side and having aninterme'diate portion of a heightsubstantially equal to the height 01' the box for lid support, eachpartition-associated wall having an elongated aperture therein, saidpartition means at opposite ends including tongues of less depth thanthe partition height and seatable in the elongated apertures.

14. In a chick box, a body having side walls inclined inwardly from thetop to the bottom thereof providing a substantial taper for said sides,a lid having the same area as the body top,

a rim of substantial depth depending from the edges of the lid atsubstantially right-angles to the plane 01' the latter and adapted tofrictionaliy engage with the top edges of said body, the

.body side and rim providing a space between said rim and sides, saidsides having ventilating openings therein with their upper edgesdisposed relatively close to the lower edges 01' said rim when the lidis in applied position,.said openings being of a size sufllclent topermit of introduction of the fingers therein to facilitate removal ofthe Y HERMAN C. KRANNERT.

GEORGE E. BONIBERGER.

